Small tubing often becomes clogged from hard water and although new designs include filters and self-flushing emitters, they are costly. The tubing/system is unsightly. And because it's unsightly, tubing is often covered by mulch or plant foliage, making it difficult to monitor the effectiveness of the system.
The Cons of Drip Irrigation
Clogged Emitters – It's common for drip emitters to become clogged from mineral/chemical deposits, or algae and bacterial buildup. Even plant roots can find their way into drip tubing. If clogs are not cleared right away, water pressure can build up and cause damage to the system.
Although there is a 30/30 rule (30 foot max length, 30 gph max flow rate), others recommend keeping runs of 1/4" tubing under 20 feet. Keeping these runs short should be fairly easy, since 1/4" tubing typically comes off the main 1/2" line only far enough to reach nearby plants or trees.
The general answer is 7-10 years for the drip lines (laterals) 30-50 years for the Main and Submain pipes (buried in the soil at depths of 2 or 2.5 feet). The head control –Filters, Control and Safety Valves and Fertigation equipment will have a longer life than the drip laterals.
Because lawns cover a large area, drip irrigation systems won't work anywhere near as well. Because grass has much thicker and dense root systems, they are less prone to waterlogging and overwatering compared to planted vegetables. As a result, pop up, and rotor sprinklers are much more efficient.
THE WORST ISSUE:
Drip systems do not promote an extensive root system, one that is deep and wide and not shallow-rooted -- the very type of system that allows a plant to be truly drought-resistant in the long run.
Typically drip irrigation systems are set up to run one hour per week. Plants needing a moister soil may need to be watered twice per week. Porous soils such as sandy soils will also need more frequent watering because the water flows through the soil quickly.
It is important to flush the lines at least every 2 weeks during the growing season. At a low concentration (1 to 5 ppm), chlorine kills bacteria and oxidizes iron. At a high concentration (100 to 1000 ppm), it oxidizes organic matter and disintegrates it.
Drip irrigation is a very efficient way to irrigation crops and has the advantage of lower evaporation than other irrigation methods, it is the most common type of "microirrigation." Drip irrigation is one of the more advanced techniques being used today because, for certain crops, it is much more efficient than ...
What is this? On average, the cost of installing a drip irrigation system ranges between $1.70 and $4.80 per square foot, including labor and materials. Pricing per square foot decreases as the installed area increases.
How Many Emitters Can I Put on a Drip Line? Emitters should be installed roughly a metre apart on a drip line, and a plant normally needs no more than two emitters watering it. If you have more than one emitter per metre, you may find your system has water pressure issues, and can develop clogs more easily.
Drip tape is the most economical option, though it may not last as long as other systems. It's also easy to install and use. It only works when set up in straight lines, but many gardeners have linear edges on their flower beds. This system is an excellent choice for annuals and vegetable gardens.
You'll need a pressure gauge available in most hardware or home supply shops to do the test. Start by installing the gauge to a hose bib or tap. Then turn on the water to get a pressure reading. A reading of 30 to 40 psi is considered safe for you to attach your drip irrigation system directly to the water source.
The Cons of Drip Irrigation Systems
Expensive – Drip irrigation systems are relatively expensive both in terms of the components and the labour required to install them correctly. They, therefore, tend to be used for irrigating more high-value crops. Require more maintenance due to clogging of emitters.
Because it can be expensive to install and operate, farmers have to determine that increased crop yield and better quality will result in enough of an increase in income to offset the cost of installing and operating an irrigation system.
Excessive irrigation can lead to waterlogging and salinization of soil, making it less fertile over time. Furthermore, irrigation water runoff can carry sediment, nutrients, and agrochemicals into rivers and lakes, causing water pollution and ecological imbalances.
The first reason behind burying your drip tape is for improved water conservation. Previous studies say that when burying drip tape you will use 40% less water than leaving the drip tape on top of the soil. When left on top of the soil drip tape is gonna be losing a significant amount of water due to evaporation.
Typically, the life span of these poly-drip irrigation lines is about 10-15 years before the irrigation system should be replaced. A longer span than that can lead to excessively high water bills as frequent leaks and water damage may become an issue.
While drip irrigation may occur any day of the week, the number of days is limited by season. Plants need far less water than grass. We recommend you run drip irrigation systems: Twice a week in spring and fall.
Clogged Tubing and Emitters
Drip irrigation uses a system of hoses, tubes and emitter devices, sometimes called drippers, with small openings that allow water to drip out slowly. Emitters have very small openings ranging from 0.2 to 2.0 mm in diameter and can become blocked with sediments naturally found in water.
If you are using drip emitters with flow rates exceeding 200 gallons per hour with 1/2 tubing, you'll also get inconsistent results. This concept is referred to as the 200/200 Rule for 1/2 tubing. For 3/4 tubing, use the 480/480 Rule, and for 1/4 tubing, use the 30/30 Rule.
PVC pipe needs to be at least 12 inches deep, while the poly tubing used for drip irrigation only needs to be six inches deep. Digging trenches is hard work, so make the most of them by using the same trench for different landscaping needs. Irrigation and lighting wires can be run in the same trench.
“If you're using a drip irrigation system, the leaves won't get wet and you can water anytime — but the best time with drip is when the plants most need the water, which will be when the sun is shining.